Geostrategic “inbetweenness”: navigating Azerbaijan–EU relations amidst geopolitical flux with Russia

This paper investigates how key geopolitical junctures the Second Karabakh War and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine have (re)shaped Azerbaijan's relations with the European Union, particularly in the realm of security and energy policy. How is Azerbaijan able to maintain a balanced approach in foreign policy, manoeuvring politically between the clashing geopolitical interests and ambitions of the different states in the region? The study delves into the concept of omnibalancing, which entails a blend of internal and external balancing strategies prioritising domestic security, sovereignty and regime survival amidst external great power competition. Additionally, it explores Azerbaijan's practice of “equidistancing” in foreign and security policy, whereby Baku refrains from strict alignment with either the EU or Russia and instead pursues an assertive and autonomous course, maintaining equal distance from both actors. Central to this analysis is Azerbaijan's evolving perception of inbetweenness, particularly in the wake of major geopolitical junctures such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In essence, the paper asserts that the case of EU -Azerbaijan -Russia triangular relations serves as a poignant illustration of how a series of crises can wield a substantial impact on bilateral policy formulation and the strategies employed in foreign policy making.<br/><br/>